Rome will bring a line-up as the Trevi Fountain reopens after restoration

Rome’s world-famous Trevi Fountain has reopened after three months of renovations.

Built in the 18th century by the Italian architect Nicola Salvi on the facade of the Palace of Poli, the historic fountain is one of the most visited places in the city.

Between 10,000 and 12,000 tourists used to visit the Trevi Fountain each day, but a new queuing system has been installed to prevent overcrowding near the historic site.

Speaking on Sunday, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said that setting the limit “will allow everyone to better enjoy this fountain, without crowds or confusion”.

Galtieri also said city officials are considering charging a small entrance fee to fund the maintenance of the fountain.

The reopening on Sunday took place under light rain in front of several hundred visitors, many of whom followed the mayor by throwing a coin into the fountain.

The three-month cleaning project involved removing mold and calcium incrustations.

The fountain and other important areas of the city were cleaned before the jubilee of the Roman Catholic Church which begins on Christmas Eve.

Its structural condition was poor it was revealed in 2012 when pieces of its intricate cornice began to fall after a particularly difficult winter that required multi-million euro repairs the following year.

Making a wish and throwing a coin into the water is such a tradition that the city authorities used to collect around €10,000 (£8,300; $10,500) a week.

The money was donated to a charity that provides food to the poor.

• He was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1730
• It is the last place of one of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome
• The Acqua Vergine runs for 20km (12 miles) before flowing into the spring.
• Guests can drink from a special tap set aside
• According to legend, the source of water was discovered in 19 BC by Roman soldiers who were guided to this place by a virgin – that’s why it’s called Virgin Waters.
• The tradition of throwing coins into the fountain was popularized by Frank Sinatra’s Three Coins in the Fountain in the 1954 romantic comedy of the same name.